Control techniques in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning network based on environmental data

ABSTRACT

An HVAC controller includes (1) an interface coupled to an air quality sensor proximate to the premises and coupled to a data source external to the HVAC system, the interface configured to receive environmental data from both the air quality sensor and the external data source and (2) a processor configured to automatically operate a demand unit of the HVAC system based on the environmental data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/603,431, filed by Grohman, et al., on Oct. 21, 2009, entitled“GENERAL CONTROL TECHNIQUES IN A HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIRCONDITIONING NETWORK”, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/167,135, filed by Grohman, et al., on Apr. 6,2009, entitled “Comprehensive HVAC Control System”, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/852,676, filed by Grohman, et al., on Apr. 7,2009, entitled “Comprehensive HVAC Control System”, and is acontinuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 12/258,659,filed by Grohman on Oct. 27, 2008, entitled “Apparatus and Method forControlling an Environmental Conditioning Unit,” each of which arecommonly assigned with this application and incorporated herein byreference. This application is also related to the following U.S. patentapplications, which are filed on even date herewith, commonly assignedwith this application and incorporated herein by reference:

Ser. No. Inventors Title 12/603,464 Grohman, et “Alarm and DiagnosticsSystem and al. Method for a Distributed-Architecture Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning Network” 12/603,534 Wallaert, “FlushWall Mount Controller and In-Set et al. Mounting Plate for a Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning System” 12/603,449 Thorson, et “Systemand Method of Use for a User al. Interface Dashboard of a Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning Network” 12/603,382 Grohman “DeviceAbstraction System and Method for a Distributed-Architecture Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning Network” 12/603,526 Grohman, et“Communication Protocol System and al. Method for aDistributed-Architecture Heating, Ventilation and Air ConditioningNetwork” 12/603,527 Hadzidedic “Memory Recovery Scheme and DataStructure in a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Network”12/603,490 Grohman “System Recovery in a Heating, Ventilation and AirConditioning Network” 12/603,473 Grohman, et “System and Method forZoning a al. Distributed-Architecture Heating, Ventilation and AirConditioning Network” 12/603,525 Grohman, et “Method of ControllingEquipment in a al. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Network”12/603,512 Grohman, et “Programming and Configuration in a al. Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning Network”

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is directed, in general, to distributed-architectureheating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, morespecifically, to general control techniques in an HVAC network.

BACKGROUND

Climate control systems, also referred to as HVAC systems (the two termswill be used herein interchangeably), are employed to regulate thetemperature, humidity and air quality of premises, such as a residence,office, store, warehouse, vehicle, trailer, or commercial orentertainment venue. The most basic climate control systems either moveair (typically by means of an air handler or, or more colloquially, acirculation fan or blower), heat air (typically by means of a furnace)or cool air (typically by means of a compressor-driven refrigerantloop). A thermostat is typically included in the climate control systemsto provide some level of automatic temperature control. In its simplestform, a thermostat turns the climate control system on or off as afunction of a detected temperature. In a more complex form, a thermostatmay take other factors, such as humidity or time, into consideration.Still, however, the operation of a thermostat remains turning theclimate control system on or off in an attempt to maintain thetemperature of the premises as close as possible to a desired setpointtemperature. Climate control systems as described above have been inwide use since the middle of the twentieth century.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a controller for HVAC system of a premises isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) an interfacecoupled to an air quality sensor proximate to the premises and coupledto a data source external to the HVAC system, the interface configuredto receive environmental data from both the air quality sensor and theexternal data source and (2) a processor configured to automaticallyoperate a demand unit of the HVAC system based on the environmentaldata.

In a second aspect, the disclosure provide another controller. In oneembodiment, this controller includes: (1) an interface configured toreceive environmental data from an air quality sensor proximate to thepremises or from a data source external to the HVAC system and (2) aprocessor configured to automatically operate at least one demand unitof the HVAC system in response to the environmental data.

In a third aspect, the disclosure provides a controller configured tooperate demand units of an HVAC system according to a method, whereinthe controller is coupled to the demand units via a data bus of a HVACnetwork. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) gathering, by theHVAC network, current and forecasted weather information, wherein theHVAC network receives the forecasted weather information from anInternet, coupled to the HVAC network through a gateway and (2) decidingupon HVAC conditioning states by the HVAC network based upon both thecurrent and the forecasted weather information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of an HVAC system within which adevice abstraction system and method may be contained or carried out;

FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of an HVAC dataprocessing and communication network 200;

FIG. 3A is a diagram of a series of steps in an event sequence thatdepicts a device commissioning in an HVAC network having an activesubnet controller;

FIG. 3B is a diagram of a series of steps that occur in relation to asetting up of a subnet including an addressable unit;

FIG. 3C is a diagram of the above series of steps of FIG. 3B to befollowed by a subnet controller to synchronize with a device of the HVACsystem;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary flow method of an ability todisplay weather information and forecast future HVAC networkfunctionality;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are an illustration of a heating and cooling scenarioemploying the exemplary weather prediction flow of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5A is an illustration of one embodiment of RFID system for use witha remote comfort sensor in an HVAC network; and

FIG. 5B is an illustration of an exemplary flow method of employment ofan RFID with a remote comfort sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As stated above, conventional climate control systems have been in wideuse since the middle of the twentieth century and have, to date,generally provided adequate temperature management. However, it has beenrealized that more sophisticated control and data acquisition andprocessing techniques may be developed and employed to improve theinstallation, operation and maintenance of climate control systems.

Described herein are various embodiments of an improved climate control,or HVAC, system in which at least multiple components thereofcommunicate with one another via a data bus. The communication allowsidentity, capability, status and operational data to be shared among thecomponents. In some embodiments, the communication also allows commandsto be given. As a result, the climate control system may be moreflexible in terms of the number of different premises in which it may beinstalled, may be easier for an installer to install and configure, maybe easier for a user to operate, may provide superior temperature and/orrelative humidity (RH) control, may be more energy efficient, may beeasier to diagnose and perhaps able to repair itself, may require fewer,simpler repairs and may have a longer service life.

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of an HVAC system, generallydesignated 100. The HVAC system may be referred to herein simply as“system 100” for brevity. In one embodiment, the system 100 isconfigured to provide ventilation and therefore includes one or more airhandlers 110. In an alternative embodiment, the ventilation includes oneor more dampers 115 to control air flow through air ducts (not shown.)Such control may be used in various embodiments in which the system 100is a zoned system. In the context of a zoned system 100, the one or moredampers 115 may be referred to as zone controllers 115. In analternative embodiment, the system 100 is configured to provide heatingand therefore includes one or more furnaces 120, typically associatedwith the one or more air handlers 110. In an alternative embodiment, thesystem 100 is configured to provide cooling and therefore includes oneor more refrigerant evaporator coils 130, typically associated with theone or more air handlers 110. Such embodiment of the system 100 alsoincludes one or more compressors 140 and associated condenser coils 142,which are typically associated in one or more so-called “outdoor units”144. The one or more compressors 140 and associated condenser coils 142are typically connected to an associated evaporator coil 130 by arefrigerant line 146. In an alternative embodiment, the system 100 isconfigured to provide ventilation, heating and cooling, in which casethe one or more air handlers 110, furnaces 120 and evaporator coils 130are associated with one or more “indoor units” 148, e.g., basement orattic units.

For convenience in the following discussion, a demand unit 155 isrepresentative of the various units exemplified by the air handler 110,furnace 120, and compressor 140, and more generally includes an HVACcomponent that provides a service in response to control by the controlunit 150. The service may be, e.g., heating, cooling, or aircirculation. The demand unit 155 may provide more than one service, andif so, one service may be a primary service, and another service may bean ancillary service. For example, for a cooling unit that alsocirculates air, the primary service may be cooling, and the ancillaryservice may be air circulation (e.g. by a blower).

The demand unit 155 may have a maximum service capacity associatedtherewith. For example, the furnace 120 may have a maximum heat output(often expressed in terms of British Thermal Units, or BTU), or a blowermay have a maximum airflow capacity (often expressed in terms of cubicfeet per minute, or CFM). In some cases, the addressable unit 155 may beconfigured to provide a primary or ancillary service in staged portions.For example, blower may have two or more motor speeds, with a CFM valueassociated with each motor speed.

One or more control units 150 control one or more of the one or more airhandlers 110, the one or more furnaces 120 and/or the one or morecompressors 140 to regulate the temperature of the premises, at leastapproximately. In various embodiments to be described, the one or moredisplays 170 provide additional functions such as operational,diagnostic and status message display and an attractive, visualinterface that allows an installer, user or repairman to perform actionswith respect to the system 100 more intuitively. Herein, the term“operator” will be used to refer collectively to any of the installer,the user and the repairman unless clarity is served by greaterspecificity.

One or more separate comfort sensors 160 may be associated with the oneor more control units 150 and may also optionally be associated with oneor more displays 170. The one or more comfort sensors 160 provideenvironmental data, e.g. temperature and/or humidity, to the one or morecontrol units 150. An individual comfort sensor 160 may be physicallylocated within a same enclosure or housing as the control unit 150. Insuch cases, the commonly housed comfort sensor 160 may be addressedindependently. However, the one or more comfort sensors 160 may belocated separately and physically remote from the one or more controlunits 150. Also, an individual control unit 150 may be physicallylocated within a same enclosure or housing as a display 170. In suchembodiments, the commonly housed control unit 150 and display 170 mayeach be addressed independently. However, one or more of the displays170 may be located within the system 100 separately from and/orphysically remote to the control units 150. The one or more displays 170may include a screen such as a liquid crystal display (not shown).

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the HVAC system 100 may include one ormore heat pumps in lieu of or in addition to the one or more furnaces120, and one or more compressors 140. One or more humidifiers ordehumidifiers may be employed to increase or decrease humidity. One ormore dampers may be used to modulate air flow through ducts (not shown).Air cleaners and lights may be used to reduce the air pollution. Airquality sensors may be used to determine overall air quality.

Finally, a data bus 180, which in the illustrated embodiment is a serialbus, couples the one or more air handlers 110, the one or more furnaces120, the one or more evaporator coils 130, the one or more condensercoils 142 and compressors 140, the one or more control units 150, theone or more remote comfort sensors 160 and the one or more displays 170such that data may be communicated therebetween or thereamong. As willbe understood, the data bus 180 may be advantageously employed to conveyone or more alarm messages or one or more diagnostic messages.

FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of an HVAC dataprocessing and communication network 200 that may be employed in theHVAC system 100 of FIG. 1. One or more air handler controllers (“AHCs”)210 may be associated with the one or more air handlers 110 of FIG. 1.One or more integrated furnace controllers (“IFCs”) 220 may beassociated with the one or more furnaces 120. One or more dampercontroller modules 215, also referred to as a zone controller module215, may be associated with the one or more dampers 114 to interface theone or more dampers to the data bus 180. One or more AC controllers 225may be associated with one or more evaporator coils 130 and one or morecondenser coils 142 and compressors 140 of FIG. 1. The network 200includes an active subnet controller (“aSC”) 230 a and an inactivesubnet controller (“iSC”) 230 i. The aSC 230 a is responsible forconfiguring and monitoring the system 100 and for implementation ofheating, cooling, air quality, ventilation or any other functionalalgorithms therein. Two or more aSCs 230 a may also be employed todivide the network 200 into subnetworks, or subnets, simplifying networkconfiguration, communication and control. The iSC 230 i is a subnetcontroller that does not actively control the network 200. In someembodiments, the iSC 230 i listens to all messages passed over the databus 180, and updates its internal memory to match that of the aSC 230 a.In this manner, the iSC 230 i may backup parameters stored by the aSC230 a, and may be used as an active subnet controller if the aSC 230 amalfunctions. Typically there is only one aSC 230 a in a subnet, butthere may be multiple iSCs therein, or no iSC at all. Herein, where thedistinction between an active or a passive SC is not germane the subnetcontroller is referred to generally as an SC 230.

A user interface (UI) 240 provides a means by which an operator maycommunicate with the remainder of the network 200. In an alternativeembodiment, a user interface/gateway (UI/G) 250 provides a means bywhich a remote operator or remote equipment may communicate with theremainder of the network 200. Such a remote operator or equipment isreferred to generally as a remote entity. A comfort sensor interface 260may provide an interface between the data bus 180 and each of the one ormore comfort sensors 160.

Each of the components 210, 220, 225, 230 a, 230 i, 240, 250, 260 mayinclude a general interface device configured to interface to the bus180, as described below. (For ease of description any of the networkedcomponents, e.g., the components 210, 220, 225, 230 a, 230 i, 240, 250,260 may be referred to generally herein as a device 290. In other words,the device 290 of FIG. 2 is a proxy for any of a furnace, a heat pump, asubnet controller, etc, and that device's associated interface means.)The data bus 180 in some embodiments is implemented using the Bosch CAN(Controller Area Network) specification, revision 2, and may besynonymously referred to herein as a residential serial bus (RSBus) 180.The data bus 180 provides communication between or among theaforementioned elements of the network 200. It should be understood thatthe use of the term “residential” is nonlimiting; the network 200 may beemployed in any premises whatsoever, fixed or mobile. In wirelessembodiments, the data bus 180 may be implemented, e.g., using Bluetooth™or a similar wireless standard.

In the illustrated embodiment, a user interface (“UI”) 240 provides ameans by which a person may communicate with the remainder of thenetwork 200. In an alternative embodiment, a user interface/gateway(“UI/G”) 250 provides an approach by which a remote person or remoteequipment may communicate with the remainder of the network 200. Such aremote person or equipment is referred to generally as a remote entity.Components connected to the data bus 180 may be referred to in thefollowing description generally as a bus interface 260, also referred toherein simply as an “interface 260.” The interface 260 may providenetwork interface functions to any of the aforementioned HVAC systemcomponents, e.g., the air handler 110, furnace 120, coils 130 orcompressor 140 over the data bus 180. The data bus 180, which may bereferred to hereinafter as a residential serial bus, or RSBus, providescommunication between or among the aforementioned elements of thenetwork 200. It should be understood that the use of the term“residential” is nonlimiting; the network 200 may be employed in anypremises whatsoever, personal or business, fixed or mobile.

Generally, the network 200 allows for the remote comfort sensors 160,the controller 150, and user display 165 and/or remote user displays 170to operate independently as separate logical units, and can be locatedin separate locations within the network 200. This is unlike the priorart, wherein these functionalities were required to be located within asingle physical and logical structure.

Turning now to FIG. 3A, illustrated is a diagram 300 of a series ofsteps that occur in relation to a commissioning of the unit 155 in theillustrated embodiment. The diagram 300 includes an enter state 301, adevice commissioning state 303, and an exit state 305. The HVAC system100 can be described as being partitioned into a plurality of subnets,each subnet controlled by its own active subnet controller 230 a.

Device commissioning can generally be defined as setting operationalparameters for a device in the network of the HVAC system, including itsinstallation parameters. Generally, device commissioning 300 is used bythe subnet controller 230 when it is active to: a) set operating“Installer Parameters” for a networked device, such as air handlers 110,(henceforth to be referred to collectively, for the sake of convenience,as the unit 155, although other devices are also contemplated), b) toload UI/Gs 240, 250 with names and settings of “Installer Parameters andFeatures” of the units 155, c) to configure replacement parts for theunits 155, and d) to restore values of “Installer Parameters andFeatures” in units 155 if those “Parameters and Features” were lost dueto memory corruption or any other event. Device commissioning is aprocess used in the HVAC system 100, either in a “configuration” mode orin a “verification” mode.

In the illustrated embodiment and in the “configuration” mode, the unit155 shares its information with the subnet controller 230 a in ananticipation of being employable in the HVAC system 100, and anappropriate subnet. Generally, the commissioning process 300 provides aconvenient way to change or restore functional parameters, both for thesubnet controller 230 a and the unit 155.

In both the “verification” mode and the “configuration” mode, the unit155 is checked for memory errors or other configuration or programmingerrors. There are differences in device 290 behavior between the“configuration” mode and in the “verification” mode, to be detailedbelow.

The “subnet startup” mode programs the subnet controller 230 to beactive. The “subnet startup” mode enables subnet communications, (i.e.,communication within a subnet), and also deactivates a “link” sub-mode.A “link” mode may be generally defined as a mode that allows a number ofsubnets to work together on the same HVAC network 200, and that assignssubnet numbers for each subnet to allow this communication.

The “installer test” mode is employed when an installer installs andtests aspects and units of the HVAC system 100. The “normal operations”mode is an ongoing operation of devices 290 of the HVAC system 100 in anormal use.

More specifically, the device commissioning state machine 300 can beemployed in: a) the “configuration” mode, which is invoked whentransitioning to the commissioning state from the “subnet startup mode”or “installer test” mode, or the “normal mode,” or b) a “verification”mode. In the illustrated embodiment, the “verification” mode is invokedwhen transitioning to the commissioning state from the “subnet startup”mode.

The following describes an illustrative embodiment of a process ofcommissioning 300 the HVAC unit 155, first for a “configuration” mode,and then for a “verification” mode. The process of commissioning differsfrom a “subnet startup,” in that commissioning requires that the networkconfiguration, including configuration and activation of subnetcontrollers 230, has already been completed before the commissioning 300of the device 260 can start. In the illustrated embodiment, there can bemore than one subnet controller 230 on a subnet, but only subnetcontroller 230 a is active at any one time.

In one embodiment, in order to enter into the state 320 of the process300 in the “configuration” mode, the unit 155 receives either: a) an“aSC” (‘active subnet controller’) Device Assignment message,” having“Assigned State” bits set to “Commissioning”; or b) a receipt of an “aSCChange State” message, with “New aSC State” bits set to “Commissioning,”from the active subnet controller 230. For both “configuration” and“verification” modes, an “aSC Device Assignment” message can begenerally regarded as a message that assigns the unit 155 to aparticular active subnet controller 230 a. For both “configuration” and“verification” modes, an “aSC Change State” message can be generallyregarded as a message that starts and ends employment of thecommissioning state diagram 300 for the units 155 and all other deviceson the subnet.

In the illustrated embodiment and in the state 320 in the configurationmode, all units 155 respond to the “aSC Device Assignment” message withtheir respective “Device Status” messages, indicating that the units 155are now in commissioning process 300 due to their response to thisprevious message. For both “configuration” and “verification” modes, the“Device Status” message can be generally defined as message that informsthe active subnet controller 230 a of what actions are being taken bythe unit 155 at a given time.

However, alternatively, in other embodiments, in the state 320 in the“configuration” mode, if the units 155 are instead busy, as indicated by“aSC Acknowledge” bits of the “Device Status” message sent to the subnetcontroller 230 a set as a “Control Busy,” the active subnet controller230 a will wait for the busy units 155 to clear their “aSC Acknowledge”bits before proceeding with further elements of the Commissioning 320process. The units 155 then resend their “Device Status” messages assoon as they are no longer busy.

From this point on, all units 155 send their “Device Status” messagesperiodically and on any status change, both during and after thecommissioning 300. If the unit 155 does not clear its “aSC Acknowledge”bits within a minute (indication its control is no longer “busy”), theactive subnet controller 230 a sends an “Unresponsive Device2” alarm foreach such unit 155. If in “configuration” mode, the active subnetcontroller 230 a remains in the waiting mode indefinitely, until theunit 155 responds correctly, or the subnet is reset manually or after atimeout is reached. In “verification” mode the active subnet controller230 a proceeds further to exit the state.

In the illustrated embodiment and in the “configuration” mode, each unit155 remembers all of its optional sensors that are currently attached toit. Furthermore, each unit 155 may store a local copy in itsnon-volatile memory (“NVM”) of all of any other unit features that it isdependent on. A unit 155 feature can be generally defined as any datumthat is fixed and cannot be changed by the installer, serviceman or thehome owner. Changing of a “Feature” value normally involvesreprogramming of the units 155 firmware.

In at least some embodiments, a feature is something that is fixedvalue, that is hard-wired into a device. In other words, no installer orhome owner can change it. Features are programmed into the unit 155during a manufacturing or an assembly process. Features can be recoveredin a home, during a Data non-volatile memory (“NVM”) recovery substateof Commissioning state only—the recovery substate happens automaticallyand without installer or user intervention. In a further embodiment,parameters can be changed by the installers only. In a yet furtherembodiment, the HVAC system 100 employs “variables”—those can be changedby the installers and also the home owners.

In some embodiments, a “Parameter List” is normally a Feature thatcontains a special list of specific parameters included in the unit 155.Parameter values can be changed, and their state can be changed also(from enabled to disabled and vice-versa), but their presence is setonce and for all in a given firmware version. Therefore, a list ofParameters (not their values) is also fixed, and is thus treated as a“Feature.”

However, although elements of the “configuration” mode commissioning and“verification” mode commissioning are similar, when the active subnetcontroller 230 is in “verification” mode instead of in “configuration”mode, the active subnet controller 230 a can exit commissioning 300regardless of the value of the alarms of the units 155. However,alternatively, if the active subnet controller 230 a is in“configuration” mode, the active subnet controller 230 a will not exitfrom its commissioning state 300 for as long as at least one unit's 155“aSC Acknowledge” flags are set to “Control Busy.” In one embodiment ofthe “verification” mode, the active subnet controller 230 a timeouts theinstallation and resets the subnet to default parameters.

In the “verification” mode, assuming the unit 155 operates with anon-corrupted (original or restored copy) NVM, each unit 155 checks anyof its attached sensors to see if they match with the parameters thatwere present in a most recent configuration of the unit 155. In someembodiments, alarms are generated by the unit 155 for missing ormalfunctioning sensors as soon as the faulty condition is detected, tobe employed by the user interfaces and gateways present on the subnet tonotify the installer or homeowner of the encountered problem. Theunexpected absence of certain sensors may inhibit the operation of theunit 155 or the subnet. This is normally manifested by the signaling ofthe appropriate Service Bits in the Device Status message used by theactive subnet controller 230 a, to determine the operational viabilityor health of the subnet's systems.

In some embodiments, the device commissioning process 300 thentransitions into a state 330, and then ends, upon either: a) the lastunit 155 receiving all of unit 155 parameters that it is dependent on,when in “verification” mode; or b) upon a request by a user, when in“configuration” mode. The active subnet controller 230 a then proceedsto ensure that no subnet unit 155 has its “aSC Acknowledge” flag set toa “Control Busy” state. The “aSC Acknowledge” flag not being setindicates that all of a non-volatile memory of a given unit 155 had beenwritten to with the necessary parameters. If no “Control Busy” state isdetected, the active subnet controller 230 a then issues the “aSC ChangeState” message, which forces the unit 155 from a commissioning state toa non-commissioning state, in either a “configuration” or a“verification” mode.

In some embodiments, when the unit 155 in the process 300 fails its NVMdata integrity check in an “NVM CRC Check,” and the active subnetcontroller is unable to perform NVM Recovery, the unit 155 insteademploys its default data stored in its non-volatile (Flash) memoryand/or uses default calculations to initialize the data dependent onother devices in the system. The other device data to be used forcommissioning could have been obtained in either the “verification” or“configuration” mode. For data or other parameters that were nottransferred or generated as part of that commissioning 300 session,default values are used.

In one embodiment, upon a detection of a system configuration error,such as a missing device whose features or parameters the unit 155depends upon, it uses the locally stored copy of the other device'sfeatures that it depends upon, and ignores any potential feature valueconflicts. In another embodiment, the unit 155 uses the locally storedcopy of other parameters of the unit 155 that it depends on and ignoresany potential dependent parameter value conflicts. In other words, theunit 155 employs a first installed parameter as a template for a secondinstalled parameter on a second device. In a third embodiment, the unit155 will change its parameter or feature values only if explicitlyinstructed by the active subnet controller 230 or the UI/G 240, 250.

Turning now to FIG. 3B, illustrated is an HVAC device state machine 310illustrated for a subnet, including the unit 155, in more detail. Solidlines indicate normal state transitions when the subnet is transitioningfrom one state to another state, green lines indicate a subroutine calland red lines, alternating dotted and dashed lines indicate unexpectedyet valid transitions. All states other than state 326 represent devicestates, and the state 326 represents a message handling routine.

As is illustrated in the present embodiment, a reset state 312 of asubnet advances to a NVM CRC check 316 for a given device (such as unit155). If the device fails the test, the device advances to a NVMprogramming 318. If the device passes, however, then in subnet startup320, the device is assigned an address (Equipment Type number) and somefeatures and parameters of the unit 155 may be shared with the subnet.Then, in substate 324, device commissioning as described in FIG. 3Aoccurs. This then leads to an installer test state 328. This, in turn,then leads to a link mode startup 330, as described above. Finally, thenin a step 334, normal system operation occurs, although system can resetto state 312 or be brought to states 314 or 332 via diagnostic messageshandled in a state 326.

In a further embodiment, during the NVM CRC check 316, the state machine310 can advance to a NVM programming state 318. This can occur due tosuch factors as a failure of a non-volatile memory, or an initialprogramming of the NVM. In a yet further embodiment, each of these units155 is programmed to deal with one form of a diagnostic messageregarding system errors in a state 326, and from there to testing thedevice 160 itself in an OEM test mode 332.

Turning now to FIG. 3C, illustrated is a state flow diagram 340 for theactive subnet controller 230 a in relation to the unit 155. In theillustrated embodiment, it is generally the responsibility of the activesubnet controller 230 a to implement proper state transitions; the otherunits 155 follow the explicit direction of the aSC 230 a for all validtransactions. These state diagrams are included to help ensure that astate of the unit 155 is the same as the subnet controller. In theillustrated embodiment, the SC 230 a is responsible for devicesynchronization. If the unit 155 is detected out of synch with the restof the system, the aSC 230 a, in some embodiments, immediately tries tobring the unit 155 to the current system state, if possible.

If an addressable unit 155 is detected in subnet startup 344, the subnetcontroller 230 a applies asynchronous startup rules, which generallypertain to how many parameters are to be passed between device 290 ofthe addressable unit 155 and the active subnet controller 230 a.

If an addressable unit 155 is detected in commissioning 345, installertest 346, link mode 347 or normal operation 348 substates, the unit 155,in some embodiments, is brought to the current state via a resend of an“aSC Change State” message, which involves transitioning from a firstcurrent aSC state to a second current aSC state.

If a unit 155 is detected in OEM Test or Soft Disabled state, the unit155 shall be reset by the active subnet controller 230 a in a step 342.If a unit 155 is detected in “Hard Disabled” or “NVM Programming” state,the active subnet controller 230 a assumes that it is not available onthe subnet.

In a further embodiment, inactive subnet controllers 230 i are requiredto keep the most up to date subnet and HVAC system configurationinformation. Inactive subnet controllers 230 i listen to all UI/G andaSC messages and continuously update their non-volatile memory toattempt to be as consistent as possible with the settings stored inactive subnet controller 230 a.

Various Aspects of Control Techniques in an HVAC Network Based onEnvironmental Data

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an exemplary method 400 for usingweather information as to when to provide HVAC networked services. Priorart HVAC systems generally only use indoor temperature to make decisionson when to bring on HVAC equipment to provide conditioning to a space.Prior art HVAC systems do not predict whether outdoor conditions willchange, that could affect the decision of HVAC functions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the method 400 gathers both currentweather information and forecasted information. The current weatherinformation and forecasted weather information can be displayed on thedisplay(s) 170. This provides a homeowner or other user convenientaccess to this weather information, without a need to watch for thisinformation on television, the World Wide Web, or newspaper.

In a further embodiment, the method 400 can use the forecasted weatherinformation to make decisions on when to engage and disengage differentfunctionalities of the HVAC network 200. For example, the indoortemperature may indicate that there is a need to bring on cooling.However, the weather forecast may indicate that the outside temperaturewill drop within the next few hours, and the residence will cool off dueto natural cooling. Thus, the method 400 may defer the call for cooling,and instead rely on the outside temperature to drop the temperature ofthe residence naturally, thus saving the user money. An analogoussituation applies to the furnace and heating of the residence due to apredicted warming. In some embodiments, the weather forecast can beinput to the communicating system via Internet, cell phone network,phone network, cable network, satellite, or other forms of wired radiofrequency communications. In another embodiment, the communication formcan be wireless Internet or other forms of wireless communication.

In the method 400, after a start step 405, an HVAC network (such as theHVAC network 200) may gather current weather information in a step 410.This current weather information is displayed to a user in a step 420.In a step 430, the HVAC network gathers forecasted weather information.In a step 440, the HVAC network makes present HVAC control decisionsbased upon the forecasted weather information. In one embodiment, theforecasted weather information can be conveyed to the HVAC system viathe U/IG 250, which can be coupled to the Internet. In anotherembodiment, home information to be considered by the method 400 whenmaking present HVAC decisions is also entered in the step 440 by theuser or installer. The home information can be entered into the activesubnet controller 230 a either during commissioning or normal operation.

Generally, the method 400 allows for controlling of the HVAC system 100to improve system performance, e.g. comfort and efficiency for aconsumer. In one embodiment of the method 400, all equipment control isbased on both current and forecasted temperature. Start time can dependon a present indoor temperature, outdoor temperature and overall weatherforecast.

For an example of employment of the method 400, electricity prices mayvary by time of day, with electric rates being less expensive before 2pm and more expensive from 2 pm to 5 pm. If the weather forecastindicates that it will be hot in the afternoon, the method 500 maydecided to “pre-cool” the space in the morning and rely on the thermalstorage of the home to keep it cool in the afternoon. In this manner,the homeowner can shift their cooling energy usage to a time whenelectric rates are less expensive, thus saving the homeowner money.

In a further embodiment of FIG. 2 as expressed in conjunction with FIGS.3A-3C, if the active network controller 230 a generates or receives a‘dehumidify’ command, the compressor 140 is disabled during a dehumidifycommand, thus avoiding overcooling in a given space. In someembodiments, this can be correlated to the weather predictionfunctionality.

Turning now to FIG. 4A, illustrated is both a prior art and currentcontrol technique according to method 400 for heating. As is illustratedin FIG. 4A, a required indoor temperature 460 is illustrated in relationto an outdoor temperature 465. In conventional systems, a furnace wouldturn on at a point 470, a turn-on point of outside temperature. Thiswould overshoot a desired indoor temperature 460. However, the method400 allows a turn on time instead at an earlier time based on a weatherprediction such as in the step 440, thereby allowing the indoortemperature to reach its target temperature at a desired time.

Turning now to FIG. 4B, illustrated is both a prior art and currentcontrol technique according to method 400 for cooling. As is illustratedin FIG. 4B, a required indoor temperature 480 is illustrated in relationto an outdoor temperature 485. In conventional systems, a compressor andfan would turn on at a point 490, which could require significantenergy. However, the method 400 allows the cooling to be turned on at alater time 495 based on a weather prediction by using a natural coolnessof the environment itself such as in the step 440, thereby allowing theindoor temperature to reach its target temperature at a desired time.

Turning now to FIG. 5A, illustrated is a system 500 for employing radiofrequency identification (“RFID”) with temperature and/or humiditysensors, such as the comfort sensors 280. An RFID may not need batteriesto power a microprocessor. Instead, an RFID tag may use an antenna todraw power from a transmitted radio signal as well as derive informationfrom it. A basic principle behind the latter type of RFID is when aproper frequency is transmitted, and an RFID tag draws enough power toradiate an ID or other signal, transmits its ID or another signal to areceiver and then presumably turns back off. All of this can happenwithout a use of batteries.

In the system 500, illustrated is a sensor 505, which can be the comfortsensor 280, although it may or may not have additional humidity sensingability. The sensor 500 includes an RFID tag 510, a thermistor 220, anda battery 530. The system 500 also includes an RFID transceiver 540,coupled to the RS bus 180 of the HVAC network 200.

Generally, the system 500 incorporates an RFID into a remote temperaturesensor, such as the sensor 505. The temp sensor includes both the RFIDtag 510, which reads the thermistor 520. Therefore, the temperaturesensors may not be powered all of the time, but perhaps only when theRFID receiver 540 powers up at the request of the HVAC network 200.Therefore, when the sensors 505 are powered by an RF signal, aninterrogatory signal, they then read the thermistor 520, broadcast thisvalue, and then go back to “sleep.” In a further embodiment, the RFtemperature sensor 505 can be incorporated with the battery 530 thatonly powers the thermistor so that the sensor can put all of its powerreceived from the RFID receiver 540 into transmitting data. In a yetfurther embodiment, a plurality of sensors 500 are placed around alocation, such as a room. The temperature sensors each have a separatebroadcast frequency. In one embodiment, the sensor is motionless andthus able to receive power longer, with less loss and betterreliability, so it can include low-power active circuitry whose solepurpose is to convert the ADC reading of the thermistor value into an RFmessage packet.

Turning now to FIG. 5B, illustrated is an exemplary embodiment of amethod 550 for reading a value, such as a temperature, in an RFID, suchas the RFID tag 510, that has a value to be employed by an HVAC network,such as the HVAC network 200. After a start step 555, an RFID receiverof a HVAC network sends an interrogatory signal to an RFID tag in asensor in a step 560, such as the RFID tag 510 in the sensor 505. In astep 570, the RFID tag recognizes the RFID interrogatory signal. In astep 580, the RFID tag reads an internal sensor, such as the thermistor,for a value. In a step 590, the RFID tag broadcasts the thermistor valueusing the energy of the interrogatory signal. In a step 595, the RFIDreceiver of the HVAC network receives the thermistor value broadcastfrom the RFID. The method stops in a step 597.

Those skilled in the art to which this application relates willappreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutionsand modifications may be made to the described embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A controller for a heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) system of a premises, comprising: an interfacecoupled to a sensor and coupled to a data source external to said HVACsystem, said interface configured to: transmit an interrogatory signalto a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag of said sensor; andreceive environmental data from both said RFID tag of said sensor andsaid external data source, wherein said environmental data from saidexternal data source comprises environmental data other than sensordata; and a processor configured to: based on the received environmentaldata, generate a command to activate a dehumidifier of said HVAC systemand prevent operation of a compressor of said HVAC system, therebypreventing overcooling by said HVAC system; and automatically operatesaid HVAC system based on the generated command.
 2. The controller asrecited in claim 1 further comprising a screen, wherein said processoris further configured to provide said environmental data to said screenand said screen is configured to display said environmental data.
 3. Thecontroller as recited in claim 1 wherein said processor is furtherconfigured to provide said environmental data to a remote device fordisplay.
 4. The controller as recited in claim 1 wherein said sensor islocated within said premises.
 5. The controller as recited in claim 1wherein said environmental data from said external data sourcecorresponds to a geographic location of said premises.
 6. The controlleras recited in claim 5 wherein said environmental data from said externaldata source includes present and forecasted environmental data.
 7. Thecontroller as recited in claim 1 wherein said sensor is located outsideof said premises.
 8. The controller as recited in claim 1 wherein saidprocessor is configured to automatically operate said HVAC system basedon said environmental data from both said sensor and from said externaldata source.
 9. The controller as recited in claim 1 wherein saidinterface is configured to receive said environmental data from saidexternal data source via a data bus of said HVAC system.
 10. Thecontroller as recited in claim 1 wherein the environmental data from theRFID tag is received over a broadcast frequency corresponding to thesensor, the broadcast frequency separate from other broadcastfrequencies corresponding to other sensors located in a room with thesensor.
 11. The controller as recited in claim 1 wherein theinterrogatory signal is an RF signal that causes the sensor to wake up,read a thermistor, broadcast a value read from the thermistor, and goback to sleep.
 12. An HVAC network, comprising: a controller,comprising: an interface coupled to a sensor and coupled to a datasource external to the HVAC network, the interface configured to:transmit an interrogatory signal to a radio frequency identification(“RFID”) tag of the sensor; and receive environmental data from bothsaid RFID tag of the sensor and the external data source, wherein theenvironmental data from the external data source comprises environmentaldata other than sensor data; and a processor configured to: based on thereceived environmental data, generate a command to activate adehumidifier of the HVAC system and prevent operation of a compressor ofthe HVAC system, thereby preventing overcooling by the HVAC system; andautomatically operate the HVAC system based on the generated command; adata bus coupled to said controller; the sensor comprising the RFID tag;and a RFID receiver configured to receive a reading by said RFID tag.